A Records Of An Alpha’s Life In Ancient Times - Chapter 16

After returning to the capital, Shen Qingshu rested for only a few days before resuming her old two-point-one-line life.

She had become a xiucai, but she still studied under Teacher Zheng. It was just that she had moved from Class A to the xiucai class.

Most of the students in the xiucai class were already adults, married, and had families of their own. Because of this, discipline in the xiucai class was much looser. They were no longer required to come to the schoolroom every day, and Teacher Zheng did not lecture much either.

Learning depended entirely on self-discipline. Teacher Zheng would assign work, and whenever they finished, they could hand it in for him to correct and advise on. If there was anything they did not understand while reading or studying, they could also go ask him at any time.

The only one who moved into the xiucai class along with Shen Qingshu was Xia Bogui. Meng Bozhou and Xia Boyan had both fallen at the academy exam stage. However, they had already obtained the tongsheng title, so in the future, they only needed to take the academy exam again.

As for Gao Mingche, he had once again fallen at the county exam stage.

“Senior Brother Gao returned to the capital in March and was beaten terribly by Lord Gao, to the point that he almost couldn’t get out of bed. This matter spread throughout the entire capital, and Senior Brother Gao became a laughingstock. After he came back to school, he spoke even less than before, but he no longer studied as desperately as he used to either. He just often sits there in a daze.”

Zheng Heng, who had stayed in the capital, knew this matter most clearly. The others had been taking exams elsewhere, and aside from a newly arrived student, during this period, only he and Gao Mingche had been there. As he spoke, he became somewhat sad, and his little face was full of worry.

“Now that everyone is back, maybe if we persuade Senior Brother Gao, he’ll feel a little happier.”

The others looked at one another, none of them knowing what to say.

Then Xia Bogui sighed. “Senior Brother Gao’s illness is an illness of the heart. An illness of the heart still requires heart medicine. It’s useless for only us to persuade him. He has to think things through himself.”

Shen Qingshu also agreed. “I think Senior Brother Gao is no longer suited to keep taking the imperial examinations. If this continues, things won’t get better. That enormous pressure will only crush him.”

“Seriously.” Meng Bozhou angrily slammed his fist down. “What right does Lord Gao have to beat Senior Brother Gao? Isn’t it because he placed too many expectations on Senior Brother Gao that he forced him into this state? Does failing the imperial exams mean someone is useless?!”

“But I heard Senior Brother Gao’s future in-laws are also very dissatisfied with him. They even regret arranging this marriage,” Zheng Heng cut in helplessly.

Everyone fell silent. This was the naked reality, and they could not think of any solution.

Seeing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat heavy, Meng Bozhou patted Shen Qingshu on the shoulder and forced out a smile. “Let’s not talk about this. I still haven’t congratulated you and Senior Brother Xia for becoming xiucai. Especially you, Qingshu. I heard you placed second. You really were hiding your talent well on ordinary days.”

The others also smiled and congratulated her one after another. Shen Qingshu waved her hand. “It was only luck. Don’t exaggerate so much.”

Xia Bogui still had a serious expression and said modestly, “As long as Little Junior Brother grows a bit older, there will be no problem. You two were also only one step away. If you work a little harder, you will definitely pass the academy exam the year after next.”

Xia Boyan and Meng Bozhou exchanged a glance and sighed together. “That may be true, but we’ll have to go back to our hometowns and go through all that trouble again.”

Knowing that the two of them were lazy, everyone could not help laughing.

Afterward, when they saw Gao Mingche, they did comfort and advise him several times. But although he smiled and thanked them, it was clear he had not taken any of it in. There was nothing everyone could do.

After moving into the xiucai class, Shen Qingshu still came and went and studied with her former classmates on normal days.

First, over the past year or so, the people she had interacted with the most were these few friends. Second, the students in the xiucai class only came to school every now and then, so it was difficult to form any deep bonds with them.

After Shen Qingshu returned, the matter of arranging Shen Peili’s marriage was quickly placed on the agenda. Generally speaking, it was fine for marriage discussions to be delayed a few months, but they should preferably not be delayed past eighteen.

Now that she had become a xiucai, Old Madam Liu had a little more confidence, and some noble households also changed their minds and became interested in forming a marriage connection.

After all, Count Chengyi’s household’s biggest problem was its thin population. If one day Shen Qingshu died young halfway through life, then it would become a joke. Now that she had managed to establish herself at such a young age, it put people a little more at ease.

Shen Peili’s temperament was too soft and gentle, and she had no opinions even regarding her own marriage. Shen Qingshu could only help look over the candidates for her. Now that she had greater say in the household, Old Madam Liu would occasionally ask for her opinion on certain matters too.

Among all the candidates, the one the Shen family favored most was the legitimate second son of Count Kunyang.

The two families were of equal status. Count Kunyang’s estate had also declined somewhat. The fourth-generation Count Kunyang, who had just inherited the title, had no great ability and had only entered officialdom through hereditary grace, serving as a minor official.

But Count Kunyang’s household was good at managing the family, so wealth, dignity, and comfort would not be lacking. In this era, openly living off one’s parents was allowed. This count was still in the prime of life. By the time he died and the family divided, it would likely be at least twenty or thirty years later.

His legitimate second son, Zhao Yijian, was sixteen and already had the tongsheng title. Shen Qingshu had not met him before, but she had heard that his character was upright and his temperament gentle.

Seeing was believing. Before the marriage was settled, she still needed to properly investigate him.

In this era, there were only so many leisure spots for young people in the capital. October was crisp and clear, the perfect time to watch football.

Hearing that this Young Master Zhao would also come today, Shen Qingshu was currently following Meng Bozhou through the VIP section to look for him.

On a day off, even the VIP section was packed with spectators. Along with changes in the state of the game, spectators would stand up and cry out from time to time. The line of sight of the two tiny sprouts was often blocked, making the search very difficult.

“Qingshu, I saw Zhao Yijian!” Meng Bozhou cried out excitedly.

“Where?”

“There, the one in blue.”

Shen Qingshu looked in the direction of his finger and saw a boy of medium height, somewhat thin, wearing a scholar’s cap. He could be considered delicate and handsome. At first glance, his energy and bearing seemed decent.

He was fully focused on watching the match and had no idea that two people were plotting against him.

“Qingshu, how do you plan to test him?” Knowing why she was looking for him, Meng Bozhou asked curiously.

“Bring your ear over.” The football field was too noisy, so Shen Qingshu leaned closer and roughly explained her plan.

“Ah? This…” After hearing it, Meng Bozhou did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Isn’t that way too old-fashioned?”

The two words “old-fashioned” immediately stirred up some unpleasant memories for Shen Qingshu. Her mind wandered for a second before she quickly pulled her thoughts back. “Since ancient times, deep affection has never been enough to make people stay. Only a good routine wins people’s hearts. A method doesn’t have to be new. As long as it works, that’s enough.”

“All right then. Where are we going now?”